SCYNEXIS Completed Phase 1 Trial for ADPKD Drug

The company finished initial safety testing for its experimental drug, SCY-770, to treat kidney disease.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Biotech

Isometric editorial illustration of a single glass medical vial on a clean surface, representing clinical research. — SCYNEXIS has completed Phase 1 safety trials for its experimental drug SCY-770, which is being developed to treat Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Jersey City-based biotech firm SCYNEXIS has completed a Phase 1 study of its drug candidate SCY-770. The trial evaluated safety and tolerability in healthy volunteers to prepare for upcoming clinical testing for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD).

Why it matters

This study supports necessary dose selection for a future Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial aimed at addressing a condition that affects approximately 140,000 patients in the United States.

The study utilized three cohorts receiving up to 750 mg daily doses over a 7-day period. The drug functions by activating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase to influence disease-driving signaling pathways.

The players

SCYNEXIS

This is a biotech company headquartered in Jersey City that focuses on developing novel treatments for difficult-to-treat infections and rare diseases.

FDA

The Food and Drug Administration is the federal agency responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical products.

The details

The trial enrolled 25 healthy adults to test single doses of 500 mg alongside seven-day regimens of 500 mg twice daily or 750 mg once daily. SCY-770 has now been administered to approximately 300 participants in total as the company advances its research.

SCYNEXIS announced the study completion on October 6, 2026.
A Phase 2 proof-of-concept study is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The Tech Race

The development of SCY-770 reflects a broader industry shift toward targeted metabolic interventions for chronic kidney conditions. This approach seeks to improve upon existing therapies by focusing on specific intracellular signaling pathways to manage disease progression.

For patients living with ADPKD, this milestone marks progress toward potential new therapeutic options for a condition that currently has limited treatments. Continued development could eventually offer an alternative to existing medications that manage the disease.

The takeaway

The successful completion of safety testing allows the developer to refine dosage strategies before larger-scale patient trials begin. Patients and clinicians should monitor for results from the upcoming Phase 2 study as a key indicator of the drug's therapeutic potential.